Programs

Child Care Building Blocks

Child Care Building Blocks is based on the fundamental concept that young children learn best through play. When young children explore the world through developmentally appropriate activities, they acquire the skills they will need for success in school. Child care providers, together with families, play a vital role in giving children the opportunities for creative, self-directed play to build strong language, cognitive, social, and emotional abilities. The Child Care Building Blocks program addresses the long-term goal of helping children enter school ready to learn through two program elements:

• Fun Visits for children: Connections For Children child development specialists make visits to family child care homes to facilitate enriching curriculum activities that promote creativity, help nurture early literacy and language development, and contribute to school readiness. Fun Visits encourage each child’s confidence, curiosity, and social skills.
• Training for caregivers: Our staff members coach providers to develop a balanced curriculum of stimulating daily activities that incorporate cognitive, social and emotional development in a context of play. The program’s strength lies in combining training workshops and individual onsite coaching sessions, enabling caregivers to build their own skills and incorporate activities to foster children’s early learning into their daily routines.

Funded by the Weingart Foundation
Funded by the California Child Care Resource & Referral Network

Family Child Care Resource Program

Launched in October 2003, the Family Child Care Resource Program provides training, information, networking opportunities, and one-to-one mentoring for home-based child care providers. These services assist providers in creating quality learning environments for the young children in their care. The program supports professional growth, helps caregivers strengthen relationships with families, and assists in the development of curriculum for children. The following resources are available for Family Child Care providers and license-exempt caregivers throughout the Westside and South Bay communities:

• Visits from our Child Development Specialists to caregivers' homes; providing individualized technical assistance consultation as needed.
• Monthly network meetings bringing providers together to talk about issues of concern and to build a structure for shared support.
• Professional development seminars focused on areas of special concern to providers. Each seminar presents an in-depth look at best practices and new directions in the field of child care.

Enrollment in this program is always open.

This program is made possible through the funding support of First 5 LA

Mobile Toy Loan

Our Toy Loan van regularly visits child care providers loaning toys, curriculum materials, and books on a rotating basis. The Mobile Toy Loan program helps caregivers continually present children with appropriate, challenging play activities. Many adaptive toys, specifically designed for children with special needs, are available on loan. All licensed Family Child Care homes listed in the Connections For Children database may call for a Toy Loan visit.